Identity and Work: Part 1 of 5 (Toy Story)

Falling with Rile

The Reel

Woody was on top of the world. A toy’s world that is. He was Andy’s favorite toy and had a close knit relationship with him. They were best buddies since kindergarten. His fellow peers, Andy’s toys, respected him and acknowledged him as the leader of the pack. This is what we, the audience, observe in the opening sequences of Toy Story. We are introduced to Woody, Andy, and the other toys. Immediately we come to the realization that these toys are alive, but have “rules” to follow. They are intelligent, have distinct personalities, and their world mainly consists of Andy’s bedroom. When Andy is present, they are basically working on the job; being there for Andy when he needs them. One of the toys’ greatest fears is then exposed: being replaced by a better, newer, and more exciting toy. Woody doesn’t seem worried, but that all changes with Andy’s birthday.

Woody, in one instant, is literally and figuratively is pushed from his spot on Andy’s bed. This is his spot. It’s his domain and it symbolizes that he is indeed Andy’s favorite toy. Buzz Lightyear, a cool, innovative toy enters the picture. Not only has he taken Woody’s spot, but he is convinced that he is an actual Space Ranger! This irks Woody to no end and jealousy ensues. Slowly, he watches his world crumble before him. Andy plays with him all the time now. The wallpaper and bed sheets change from a cowboy theme to a space ranger theme. What’s more, his friends and fellow “co-workers” are smitten with Buzz and Woody’s influence over them comes undone.

The Real

What makes Toy Story so beloved by audiences of all ages alike? There are many reasons–the groundbreaking computer animation, the memories of our childhood, the storytelling, the humor, but one of the main reasons is the characters. We can identify with them. Although they may be toys, they resemble our human nature more than anything else. When we first meet the toys we see through their eyes and come to grasp that they view Andy’s room as a workplace environment. Andy is the “boss” and dictates when they are to “work”. In this case it’s when he is present. There are also “rules” that are distinctly manufactured into their being. They cannot be seen alive by humans–it is strictly forbidden. They take every precaution to make this a reality and even have their “spot” marked where Andy last left them to return to when he comes back. Their job is be there for Andy when he needs them. They are driven to be played with and to be loved by a child. That is the definition of a toy at face value.

We can take away some truths from this first short opening scene in Toy Story. First, we are a given different personalities, gifts, and abilities to use for God’s glory. Just like each toy offered a distinct and unique quality that made them valuable to Andy; we too each are designed to fulfill a purpose that only we can do. Some of us are wired to be teach children, others to work in the medical field, other to construct buildings, write books, or design computer software. Just like the toys needed each other to function and get certain tasks achieved (i.e. Woody holding a staff meeting, the Army Men scouting out Andy’s birthday presents) in the working environment; we need to work as a team to achieve goals and dreams. We’re created for relationships and need each other in all areas of life. We also need to be “present” in order for God to use us for His purposes. The toys had to return to their “places” in order for Andy to properly play with them. We need to work hard at our workplaces not to please other people or our boss; instead we need to work towards the Lord. Finally, our job and what we do doesn’t define us. Andy loved his toys not because of what they did necessarily(they were alive in his mind already), but they were his toys. We as Christians are God’s children and are His and His alone. He loves us for who we are and his love for us will never change despite our circumstances.

“You Are a Toy!!”

The Reel

Meanwhile, Buzz is more convinced than ever that he is indeed a Space Ranger. Woody finally reaches the breaking point and is willing to go to extreme measures to get Andy to notice him again. He accidentally knocks Buzz out the window and they end up at a gas station separated from Andy. Here’s where we witness arguably the most memorable scene in all of the Toy Story films:

Buzz: “Sheriff, this is no time to panic.”

“Woody: “This is a perfect time to panic! I’m lost, Andy is gone, they’re gonna move to their new house in two days, And it’s all your fault!”

Buzz: “My fault? If you hadn’t pushed me out of the window in the first place…”

Woody: “Oh yeah? Well, if *you* hadn’t shown up with your stupid little cardboard spaceship and taken away everything that was important to me…”

Buzz: “Don’t talk to me about importance! Because of *you*, the future of this entire universe is in jeopardy!”

Woody: “WHAT? WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?”

Buzz: “Right now, poised at the edge of the galaxy, Emperor Zurg has been secretly building a weapon with the destructive capacity to annihilate an entire planet! I alone have information that reveals this weapon’s only weakness. And *you*, my friend, are responsible for delaying my rendezvous with Star Command!”

Woody: “YOU ARE A TOY!!! You aren’t the real Buzz Lightyear! You’re–you’re an action figure! You are a child’s play thing!”

Buzz: “You are a sad, strange little man, and you have my pity. Farewell.”

Sailing No More

The Reel

They eventually end up at Andy’s next door neighbor’s house in the clutches of Sid. Unlike Andy, Sid tortures toys for fun. Sid may be doing nothing wrong in our eyes, but to the toys he is a living nightmare. Buzz and Woody attempt to escape, but run into a roadblock in the form of the family dog, Scud. They get spilt up and Buzz comes face to face with the truth. He is indeed a toy and Woody was telling the truth. Buzz can’t come to grip with this new alternate reality and refuses to accept it at first. He sees a bird falling through an open window and takes a leap of faith in trying to fly across the room. But, alas, he falls and becomes broken in spirit along with physically losing an arm. Buzz gives into depression and defeat. His world is shattered in pieces.

The Real

There are times when we too want to desperately be anyone else but ourselves. “If only I was so and so….” we grumble. We’re convinced that if we could do something we’re not “manufactured” to do, we’ll be special and significant. Just like Buzz was “pretending” in a sense to be a Space Ranger, we sometimes pretend to be like a celebrity, famous athlete,  music artist, or a fill-in-the-blank “cool person” in order to be accepted by our peers, parents, co-workers, or friends. In order to be fully you and become the person who were meant to be, you first must be honest with who you are. Accept your shortcomings and failures. Understand that you can’t be anything you want to be. Instead become what who God wants you to be. Also stop comparing yourself with others. Woody grew jealous of Buzz because he had all the high-tech gadgets and Woody had nothing more than an old-fashioned pull-string. Buzz meanwhile took pride in who he thought he was and lost sight of what was most important–his relationship with the other toys and ultimately to Andy. Both pride and shame do us no good as we play the comparison game. God made us distinctly different for a wondrous purpose–so that you can do something only designed for you to do. No one else is given the exact personality, gifts, abilities, and experience that you have. Lastly, when we try and go outside of our natural abilities we are prone to frustration, pain, and disappointment. We all can’t be public speakers, political leaders, or musicians. Instead find discover your natural gifts, abilities, and passions. Then you’ll find that being you isn’t so burdensome and difficult. A life full of joy, peace, and fulfillment is then possible. Just be you!

“Why Would Andy Want Me?”

The Reel

Woody realizes that he and Buzz can escape out Sid’s window with the help of Andy’s toys; his long-lost friends. But, the plan falls through when Buzz is so deep in depression that he can’t bring himself to care what happens to him. Sid’s new package comes in the mail, a rocket, and he straps in on Buzz. Before he can launch him into outer space, they are saved by a storm. Sid delays the launch for the following morning. Woody is trapped under a crate and needs Buzz’s help. He pleads with Buzz and tries to cheer him up. It’s here that we come to the key sequence where Buzz realizes his value as a toy:

Buzz: “No, Woody you were right all along. I’m not a Space Ranger, I’m just a toy; a stupid insignificant toy.”

Woody: “Wait a minute. Being a toy is a lot better than being a Space Ranger.”

Buzz : “Yeah, right.”

Woody:”No, it is! Look over in that house there is a kid who thinks you’re the greatest, and it’s not because you’re a Space Ranger, pal, it’s because you’re a toy. You are his toy.”

Buzz : “But why would Andy want me?”

Woody:”Why would Andy want you? Look at you! You’re a Buzz Lightyear! Any other toy would give up his moving parts just to be you! You’ve got wings, you glow in the dark, you talk, you’re helmet does that whoosh thing, you are a cool toy!!”

The Real

It’s when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, become baptized, and are filled with the Holy Spirit that we finally see our true nature. We were sinners, yet are made new in light of what Christ has done for us dying on the cross for our sins. How we come to Christ differs for each one of us, but there are people that planted seeds along the way. It may be your parents, a friend, a minister, or a mentor. Each is used to bring us back into a relationship with Him. To restore what was lost. Woody helps Buzz see the significance of being a toy over what Buzz thought was the better reality. He thought he was doing what was right, but in return had made a mess of his situation. Before we knew Christ, we were convinced that we were doing what was right and everything was fine. We were good enough to earn salvation. Then the truth hits us. At first, it hurts and seems like our hope is lost. Buzz thought being a toy was the worst possible reality that existed. Then we grasp what being a child of God is all about–that God loves us, wants us for who we are. Not for what we may become or want to become. By choosing to accept his true nature as a toy, Buzz can now enter into his true calling–being loved by Andy. God loves us exactly the way we are; just as Andy loves Buzz not for being a Space Ranger, but for being his toy. As Christians we are His child. And there’s nothing better than this reality! We were made to love and to be loved!

“So Play Nice!”

The Reel

Buzz finally gets the significance of being a toy. But before they can escape, Sid wakes up and takes on his mission to launch Buzz into blown bits. Woody for the first time is selfless and willing to do anything to help his friend. He convices Sid’s “mutant” toys to help him in getting to Sid’s back yard while taking Scud out of the picture (momentarily, anyways) He chooses to break the “rules” and confronts Sid head on(pun intended). He tells him to take care of his toys using his sound box. The toys then come alive and Sid the error of his ways screaming in fear. Woody and Buzz now have to race to get back to Andy in time. The race is on!

Flying on the Wings of Faith

The Reel

We now reach the climax of the story. Buzz and Woody are now a equal ground. They keep taking turns helping one another as the stakes keep getting higher and higher. They miss Andy’s car, but reach the moving van. But, alas, Scud can’t contain his excitement to chase down toys! Just another day in the neighborhood, right!? Buzz saves Woody from being ripped apart by Scud, but is now a considerable distance from the moving van. Woody tries to get RC, the remote control car, to get Buzz back to the moving van, but the toys are still under the impression that he is up to no good and a “toy killer.” He is pushed out the moving van. Although the toys eventually try and help, RC’s battery runs out and they are left to one option. The rocket attached around Buzz. This will help them catch up to the moving van, but there’s one problem–rockets explode! It is here that we witness one the greatest, cinematic scenes in animation history. Buzz and Woody escape the clutches of the rocket, but are now seemingly doomed to fall to their death. Only Buzz doesn’t believe this to be the case. He flies effortlessly believing in himself and who he is as a toy who is loved by Andy. They land right next to Andy in his car and all is right with the world again. Andy is reunited with his toys, Buzz and Woody have begun a beautiful friendship, and they are safely in his arms again.

The Real

Why does this scene of Woody and Buzz in flight together forever etched in our minds? Because it defies logic to us and soars our imaginations. It seems impossible to us despite the fact that it is indeed a fictional story encompassed with a vast animated world. We are pulling for these characters to succeed and to be them thrive despite the difficulties thrown in their way puts a smile on our face. Just as Woody and Buzz are faced with many barriers and problems in becoming who they were meant to be—Andy’s toys who want to be played with and loved by him; we, too, will confront many difficulties along the way. Everyone wants us to be what they perceive us to be and this causes a conflict of our false self and true nature. We need to view ourselves from God’s eyes and who we are according to him. He created you and knows full well what the best version of you looks like. The fear of failure is often our biggest hurdle to climb. What if we mess up? Will God still love us? If we give into this train of thought we’ll strive to survive instead of what we were made to do–thrive! Instead of relying on our own strengths and abilities we need to turn to knows us best–God! Choosing faith over fear. When we do this the impossible happens. Unexplainable events follow. Finally, we need to believe in ourselves as well. Not to fill up our ego tank, but instead choosing to glorify God by becoming the best possible version of yourself. We can soar above the trails of this life choosing to fly on the wings of faith. Safely landing back in our Savior’s arms when we finally come home. This is what it means to be born again as a child of God. This is our calling, our purpose, our mission in life. A life that goes to “infinity and beyond!”